WWE To Celebrate 20th Anniversary of Evolution This Week

WWE issued the following:

Twenty years ago this month, one of the most dominant factions in WWE history stormed onto the scene with the emergence of Evolution.

Led by Triple H, Evolution represented the best of the past, present and future of sports-entertainment in 2003, combining The Game and 16-time World Champion Ric Flair with two potent newcomers who’d go on to become legends in their own right, Batista and Randy Orton.

The group steamrolled competition on Raw during The Ruthless Aggression Era — at one point, all four members held championship gold simultaneously — all while flaunting their enviable lifestyle, whether it was designer clothing, luxury cars or a custom entrance song performed by Motörhead. After disbanding in 2005, Evolution reunited a handful of times throughout the years, most recently at SmackDown 1000 in 2018.

In celebration of the 20-year anniversary of Evolution’s formation, WWE social channels will be paying tribute to the groundbreaking faction all week long. Be on the lookout for classic full-length matches, a special Evolution-themed episode of WWE Playlist, rare photos and be sure to join the festivities by sharing your favorite memories of the group using hashtag #EvolutionWeek.

Ric Flair Talks Charlotte Losing the Womens Title, Randy Orton’s WWE Return, Batista’s Success, Triple H, His Run with Evolution and More

WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair recently spoke with Ted Gruber of Fansided.com and below are some interview highlights:

Evolution was based on the 4 Horseman in sense when it was introduced to the WWE in 2003. Looking back at that stable, was it something that the WWE needed at the time?

“It was an amazing time and I enjoyed every second of it. All the respect to Triple H who put us all together. It was a little more conservative than the 4 Horseman but equally just as fun. It was a great opportunity for me to have a good time, and I always do.

Randy is back and looks like a million dollars. Dave has a brand of his own that has taken off. And look at Hunter who is virtually running the company. I am proud of all three of them for improving their wrestling careers and other opportunities outside of the wrestling business.”

Your daughter recently dropped her Women’s Championship to Sasha Banks a couple of weeks ago. What does that mean to you after watching that match and seeing her passing on the title that she held for a very long time?

“She didn’t lose anything. She proved to everyone in the world that she is the greatest athlete in the WWE and the greatest women’s champion of all time. There’s no disgrace losing to Sasha. She had it for 307 days which is such a long time in a sport that is so very competitive. I’m so proud of her and she has such a positive attitude. She’s looking forward to the rematch and so am I.”

WWE Pays Tribute To Motorhead Lead Singer Lemmy Kilmister

.@WWE pays tribute to @MyMotorhead lead singer Lemmy Kilmister. #RIPLemmy #RAW https://t.co/4sG6gb35nK

— WWE (@WWE) December 29, 2015

Triple H Remembers His Friend And Rock Legend Lemmy Kilmister

Rock legend Lemmy Kilmister of the band Motörhead passed away today at the age of 70. Lemmy has been a close friend of Triple H's, performing his entrance live at WrestleMania 17 and 21. Motörhead also did the "Line In the Sand" theme song for Evolution, and another theme for Triple H in 2006. They most recently provided "Ace of Spades" to use as the NXT "Takeover: London" theme song after Triple H and Corey Graves met with Lemmy.

#RIPLemmy One life, lived your way, from the beginning, till the end See you down the road my friend... Thank you for the gift of your sound

— Triple H (@TripleH) December 29, 2015

Screenwriter Max Landis Releases “Wrestling Isn’t Wrestling” Parodying WWE And Triple H’s Career Feat. Dozens of Cameos

American screenwriter Max Landis (Chronicle) has released a new “educational parody” called Wrestling Isn’t Wrestling. The 24-minute film, which is available in its entirety below, covers the entire career of 13-time world champion Triple H and brilliantly discusses professional wrestling as a storytelling medium.

Wrestling Isn’t Wrestling features dozens of special appearances, including cameos from wrestlers Joey Ryan, John Hennigan (Morrison), Christopher Daniels, Kazarian, Chris Hero, Becky Bayless, former WWE announcer Justin Roberts, Colt Cabana, JTG and Shad Gaspard, Ryan Nemeth and many others, as well as Seth Green, David Arquette and more.

Batista Talks Joining Evolution, Triple H Thinking He Would Get Heat For It, Almost Being Replaced

During the second edition of his interview series on Talk is Jericho, Batista and host Chris Jericho discussed how Batista was almost replaced in Evolution, a move that would have changed wrestling forever.

Jericho and Batista were speaking about how much Randy Orton had changed over the past decade, and how instrumental Evolution was to both Orton and Batista himself. Jericho also noted that Orton had tried to start fights with him three or four times.

Batista says he was warned by Triple H ahead of forming Evolution that the two inexperienced starts would get a lot of heat for riding the coattails of Helmsley and Flair. An injury almost eliminated him from the stable altogether, as Mark Jindrak was slated to replace him.

"They were considering him replacing me when I was injured. Hunter wanted it to be the four of us, he was pretty adamant. He fought for us," Batista said of nearly being replaced.

"I get injured, and Randy (Orton) was back before I was and they wanted that fourth member," Batista said

Batista and Jericho spoke about how much the business had changed since Evolution, citing a change in Vince McMahon's demeanor. Part two of Batista's interview on Talk is Jericho can be found at this link.

Seth Rollins Turns On The Shield And Joins Evolution

During Monday's WWE Raw broadcast Seth Rollins turned his back on fellow members of The Shield, Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns by turning heel in a shocking twist.

The scheduled Randy Orton vs. Roman Reigns main event didn't go ahead after Triple H revealed that he had a “plan B.”

Seth Rollins attacked both Reigns and Dean Ambrose with a steel chair, following this Triple H and Randy Orton took to the ring to join Rollins in the beatdown.

Triple H Praises Natalya and Charlotte, Talks About Tyson Kidd, WWE Payback, NXT, More

Triple H is back for another sitdown interview with Michael Cole this week, which you can see on WWE's website at this link. Below are highlights:

* He says Payback is where it all comes to an end, the final battle. He's been telling The Shield to adapt or perish and the time is at Payback.

* Triple H talks about NXT Takeover on Thursday night. He says he got the name Takeover from looking at social media and seeing that fans were talking about how NXT is taking over WWE. He says NXT is going to make an impact on the world.

* He praises Natalya as one of the best in-ring performers int he Divas division and says Charlotte is becoming one of the best. He says Charlotte is one of the most genetically gifted athletes he's ever seen.

* He talks about how Tyson Kidd made a little bit of an impact on the main roster, got hurt and is now using NXT as his pathway back. He brings up a possible scenario of Tyson losing and Natalya winning. He refers to Kidd as a sidekick husband and says that's hard for some guys to handle. Cole talks about a NXT Takeover preview show interview he conducted with Kidd where Kidd got emotional.

* Triple H says NXT is an infectious environment and everyone there should be congratulated. He says we will see the NXT talents put their heart and soul on the line like never before at Takeover.

Video: Ric Flair addresses Evolution and The Shield

Rumor Mill - WWE Hall of Famer Booked to Return on Monday's RAW from St. Louis

Ric Flair has been booked to return to WWE on this coming Monday's RAW from St. Louis.

One would assume that Flair will be getting involved in the Evolution storyline because of his history with the group. As of two weeks ago, the plan was for Flair not to be involved in the reunited Evolution.

Evolution Reunites On Raw

Believe in Evolution... #RAW http://t.co/AsBVKa34Vw pic.twitter.com/bfSY1KBULh

— WWE (@WWE) April 15, 2014

Rumor Mill - WWE Reforming Former Stable To Take On The Shield?

The word going around backstage is that WWE will be reforming Evolution with Triple H, Randy Orton, and Dave Batista, at least for a short time, to take on The Shield. Ric Flair is not expected to return to the group but that could change.

If this does end up happening, look for a Shield vs. Evolution match to take place at the Extreme Rules pay-per-view.

source: wrestling observer

The Rise and Fall of Evolution

On the Feb. 3, 2003 edition of Raw, Triple H joined Ric Flair, Randy Orton and Batista in the ring and declared to the WWE Universe that the collective that stood before them was to be known as Evolution. (WATCH)

Not since the 1988 prime of The Four Horsemen when Flair, Tully Blanchard, Barry Windham and Arn Anderson held every major title in the NWA had professional wrestling seen a gathering of talent as gifted as this. Evolution may have inspired obvious comparisons to that legendary ensemble, but The Game, Flair, Orton and Batista represented something greater than just the squared circle's most elite competitors. They were the past, present and future of WWE all at once — an evolution in sports-entertainment occurring before everyone's eyes.

With the tenth anniversary of their formation upon us, WWE Classics chronicles Evolution’s rise to power and the greed and jealousy that ultimately corrupted them...More?

Blast From The Past: Triple H & Ric Flair Backstage with Batista

WWE Bring it Back!: Evolution

The classy suits, the fast-moving party atmosphere, the unbridled ruthlessness, the past, present and future of the squared circle. What was must be again. WWE.com calls for the return of Evolution.

It seemed to be a moment of sheer destiny, the natural progression of all that had come before it. During a 2003 episode of Raw, the WWE Universe stood witness as “the past” – 16-time World Champion Ric Flair – joined forces with “the present” – one of the top grapplers in the game Triple H – and “the future” – then up-and-coming Superstars Randy Orton and Batista. Together, they formed Evolution and instantly grew into one of the most dominant WWE factions of all-time...More?

Hardest Hitting Betrayals in WWE History

#01: Triple H betrays Shawn Michaels
#02: Paul Bearer betrays Undertaker
#03: Randy Savage betrays Hulk Hogan
#04: Stone Cold betrays The Rock
#05: Stephanie McMahon betrays Mr. McMahon
#06: Mr. McMahon betrays Hornswoggle
#07: Sycho Sid betrays Shawn Michaels
#08: Evolution betrays Randy Orton
#09: Cody Rhodes betrays Hardcore Holly
#10: Chavo betrays Rey Mysterio

Blast From the Past - Triple H Presents Evolution

Blast From the Past - Evolution Turns On Randy Orton

Blast From the Past - Triple H Gets The Bounty Money Back

WWE Armageddon (Evolution of The Game) 2003

WWE: Top 25 Entourages of All TIme

#1 Hart Foundation
#2 NWO
#3 Four Horseman
#4 D-Generation X
#5 Heenan Family

Evolution was #10. Click here for the rest of the list.